THE LARGEST LUNAR SPHERE — NWA 12691, Moon Rock — Lunar Feldspathic Breccia Sahara Desert, North West Africa

Lot Description:
This is the largest lunar sphere on Earth — the largest sample of the Moon in the shape of Moon. It was fashioned from a Moon Rock on a sphere-making apparatus. The brecciation seen is the result of the pulverization of materials that occurred on the lunar surface following ancient asteroid impacts. Characteristic superficial fissures are seen arcing through the matrix; signature white anorthite is much in evidence. Lunar regolith, impact glass, volcanic glass and other crushed rock and inclusions are comingled, also a result of the bombardment to which the Moon’s surface was exposed prior to the collision responsible for launching this rock to Earth. The low average concentrations of FeO and Th indicate this lunar sample originated in the lunar highlands. Its primary minerals are anorthite, olivine, pigeonite, augite, silica, ilmenite and kamacite. Modern fashioning.

98 x 98 x 98mm (3.9 x 3.9 x 3.9 in.)
1.386kg (3.0 lbs)

Provenance: From the collection of Dr. Lawrence Stifler

The Moon is among the rarest substances on Earth. Fashioned from a Moon rock ejected from the lunar surface following an asteroid impact, this is the single largest lunar sphere known to exist — and very few lunar spheres will ever exist given the need to conserve lunar specimens. Moon rocks are identified by specific textural, mineralogical, chemical and isotopic signatures. Several years ago a massive lunar strewn field straddling the Mauritanian, West Saharan and Algerian borders was discovered, nearly doubling the amount of all lunar meteorites known. An extraordinary bounty, NWA 12691 created the opportunity to fashion a limited number of lunar spheres (see also lot 12).

Many of the common minerals found on Earth’s surface are rare or absent on the Moon and some lunar minerals are unknown on Earth. In addition, Moon rocks contain gases captured from the solar wind with isotopic ratios very different from the same gases found on Earth. The total weight of all lunar meteorites is less than 650 kg; they could be contained in just five large footlockers, and a significant fraction is controlled by governmental institutions. Not one milligram of Apollo material is available for private ownership. Very few lunar spheres will exist; decades may elapse before the discovery of another lunar meteorite with a sufficiently high total known weight to provide the possibility of additional spheres. The trimming, grinding and polishing regimens in sphere fabrication results in material loss, and it’s only due to the luxury of there being a relatively good amount of NWA 12691, that the possibility of spheres exists. Now offered is a singular and captivating presentation of the Moon — besides the Moon itself, the largest lunar sphere known.

Christie's would like to thank Dr. Alan E. Rubin at the Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics, University of California, Los Angeles for his assistance in preparing this catalog note.

Please note this lot is the property of a private individual.